Annotated Game

N.N. - Lassila, T. (A47 - Queen's Indian, London System)

1. d4 Nf6
2. Nf3 e6
3. Bf4 b6

White employs an opening scheme known as the London System. The openings aims to simple development and a quiet middlegame. Too formulaic for my tastes, but certainly respectable. Since a kingside fianchetto is not in White's plans, I choose a QID structure to put pressure on f3 and g2.

4. e3 Bb7
5. Nbd2 Be7

By developing the knight to d2, White sidesteps Bb4 so the bishop might as well stay close to home. If Black can prevent e3-e4 and throw in d7-d5 and c7-c5, he has equalized.

6. c3 O-O

The idea 6...Nh5!? is premature because after 7. Bg3 the knight has nothing better to do on h5 than to continue Nxg3, after which White gets in e3-e4 and starts opening up lines at the black king. He can even do O-O-O if he wants to.

7. Bd3 c5

Position after 7...c5

The same points are still valid for Nh5 since White has delayed castling.

8. Qc2 d5

Freeing the d7-square for the other knight. If 8...cxd4, then it's possible to answer 9. Nxd4! due to 9...Bxg2? 10. Rg1 Bb7 11. Bh6 Ne8 12. O-O-O and White has an attack. Black would thus have to live with a weak d-pawn or to consent to playing d7-d5 and close his precious diagonal with little active pawn play in the center.

9. dxc5 Bxc5
10. Bg5 h6

Playing for a little trick, forcing 10...h6. If White wants he can still go for the kingside attack with 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. O-O-O Nc6 13. Kb1 Rac8 14. h4, but the prospects are nothing special due to the lack of the dark-squared bishop. Black would rule the center.

11. Bh4 Nbd7

Black is ready to start counterplay, but to which side is White headed?

12. Nd4 a6
13. N4b3!? Be7

This is already a bit cheeky. White should choose a plan and start implementing it. The knight moves accomplish nothing.

14. Nd4 Ne5
15. Be2 Nc4

The point of 15...Nc4 is that 16. Nxc4 dxc4 17. Bxc4!? Qc7 20. Rg1 leaves White with a shattered pawn structure.

16. O-O Nxd2

White finally smells trouble and castles away, but does so at the cost of an exchange.

17. Qxd2 Ne4
18. Bxe7 Nxd2?!

18...Qxe7 19. Qc2 e5 would offer better chances.

19. Bxd8 Nxf1

Or 19...Rfxd8 20. Rfd1 Nc4 =.

20. Bxb6 Nd2

Position after 20...Nd2

White is now down in material, but in reality stands better. The bishop pair compensates well for the missing rook.

21. a4 Ne4

21. f3 Nc4 22. Bxc4 dxc4 23. Rd1 looks promising for White. Giving up the two bishops is risky however, and Black is not without chances.

22. f3 Nf6
23. a5 Nd7
24. Bc7 Rfc8
25. Bd6 g6 1/2-1/2

Neither player wants to risk it in a balanced position. White is perhaps slightly on top.